Asbestos Surveys for Retail Properties | HSG Asbestos Surveys

Asbestos Surveys for Retail Properties

If you own, manage or are responsible for a retail property built before 2000, you have a legal duty to manage any asbestos that may be present. At HSG Asbestos Surveys, we work with retail property owners, shop landlords, facilities managers and commercial agents across the North of England to provide clear, straightforward asbestos surveys that help you stay compliant and keep people safe.

Whether you run a single high street shop or manage a portfolio of retail units, we can help. We keep things simple, we turn surveys around quickly, and we give you a report you can actually understand.

Free quotes available. Call us: 01274 959994 / 07703 203930 / 07711 855891

Asbestos in Retail Properties

Asbestos was used extensively in commercial construction right up until it was banned in 1999. Retail properties are no exception. Older shops, unit developments and retail parks can contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a number of places that are easy to overlook, including:

• Ceiling tiles and suspended ceiling systems
• Textured coatings and spray insulation
• Insulation boards around service ducts and pipework
• Roof sheeting and soffit panels
• Floor tiles and bitumen adhesives
• Fire doors and partition walls in older fit outs
• Boiler rooms and plant room insulation

In many cases, these materials are safe if left undisturbed. But if you are planning a refurbishment, fit-out or any maintenance work that could disturb these materials, a survey is a legal requirement before work starts.

Your Legal Duty as a Retail Property Owner or Manager

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, anyone who owns, occupies or has responsibility for a non-domestic premises has a duty to manage asbestos. This applies to retail properties of all sizes. The duty to manage means you must:

• Find out if asbestos is present and where
• Assess the condition of any materials found
• Produce and maintain an asbestos register
• Ensure anyone who may disturb the materials is made aware
• Review and update your asbestos management plan regularly

We can help you meet all of these requirements. Our surveys give you a clear asbestos register and management report that you can keep on file and share with contractors.

Our Retail Asbestos Surveying Services

Asbestos Management Surveys

A management survey is what most retail properties need as a starting point. It is designed to locate any ACMs that could be disturbed during the building’s day-to-day use, including routine maintenance and minor works. It gives you the asbestos register you need to fulfil your duty to manage.

We carry these out with minimum disruption to your business. In most cases, we can work around your trading hours or visit during quieter periods.

Asbestos Refurbishment Surveys

If you are planning a shop refurbishment, a new fit-out, or any structural or maintenance work, you need a refurbishment survey covering the areas where work will take place. This is a legal requirement and protects your contractors and staff.

A refurbishment survey is more thorough than a management survey and involves assessing hidden areas within the building fabric. We will give you a detailed report that your contractors can use to plan their work safely.

Asbestos Testing and Sampling

If there is a specific material in your property that you are unsure about, we can take a sample and have it analysed by an accredited laboratory. This removes any guesswork and gives you a definitive answer about whether the material contains asbestos.

This is particularly useful when taking on a new retail lease, carrying out due diligence on a property purchase, or when a contractor has flagged a concern on site.

Areas We Cover

Yorkshire	Lancashire	Greater Manchester
West Yorkshire: Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Halifax, Wakefield, Dewsbury, Batley	Blackburn, Burnley, Preston, Blackpool, Accrington, Clitheroe, Nelson, Colne	Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Bolton, Wigan, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury
North Yorkshire: Harrogate, York, Skipton, Ripon, Northallerton, Scarborough	Lancaster, Morecambe, Chorley, Leyland, Ormskirk, Skelmersdale	Tameside, Trafford, Salford, Leigh, Ashton-under-Lyne
South Yorkshire: Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham	Pendle, Ribble Valley, Wyre, Fylde, South Ribble, West Lancashire	Not sure if we cover your area? Just get in touch and we will let you know.
East Yorkshire: Hull, Beverley, Bridlington, Driffield, Goole, Howden

Not sure if we cover your area? Get in touch, and we will be happy to help.

Why Use HSG Asbestos Surveys?

• BOHS Qualified Surveyors – All of our surveyors hold BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society) qualifications, ensuring surveys are carried out to the highest professional standard.
• Fully Insured – We carry full professional indemnity and public liability insurance, giving you complete peace of mind.
• Local Family Business – We are a local, family-run business with strong roots in Yorkshire. We pride ourselves on honest, straightforward advice with no unnecessary upselling.
• Years of Experience – Our team has extensive experience surveying residential properties of all types and ages, from Victorian terraces to post-war semis and modern homes.
• Clear Reports – We produce detailed survey reports written in plain English, so you understand exactly what has been found and what your next steps are

Common Questions

Do I need an asbestos survey before a shop refurbishment?

Yes. If your retail property was built before 2000 and you are planning any refurbishment, fit-out or building work, a refurbishment survey is a legal requirement before work starts in the affected areas. This applies whether you own the building or are a tenant carrying out works.

How long does a retail asbestos survey take?

It depends on the size and layout of the property. A standard retail unit can usually be surveyed in a few hours. Larger retail parks or multi-floor properties will take longer. We will give you a time estimate before we visit.

Can you survey outside of trading hours?

Yes. We are happy to arrange early-morning, evening, or weekend visits where needed to avoid disruption to your business.

What if asbestos is found?

Finding asbestos does not automatically mean it has to be removed. If the material is in good condition and will not be disturbed, it can often be managed in place. Our report will tell you what was found, what condition it is in, and give you clear recommendations on the best course of action.

Get a Free Quote

If you need an asbestos survey for a retail property anywhere across Yorkshire, Lancashire or Greater Manchester, get in touch with us today. We offer free, no-obligation quotes and are happy to talk through what you need before you commit to anything.

Just give us a call or fill in our online quote form and we will get back to you within one working day.

us: 01274 959994 / 07703 203930 / 07711 855891